I need your help (YES
that means YOU) because love can’t stay silent…
Lately there has been a lot of talk about “Love”. What is Love?
Everywhere we turn there is something about “Love Wins” but is it really love
or something else?
Regardless of your status, race or the economics, everyone
values love and recognizes that it is love that shapes what is true and good.
The term “Love” has always been used so broadly to describe an emotional
attraction between two or more people. But the truth of the matter is that
there are three kinds of love in the Bible and this includes Eros, Agape and
Philos. So if you really want to learn how you can follow Jesus’s command to
always love one another please read on.
EROS LOVE
Eros is a Greek term which actually means desire and
longing. And according to the Greek methodology, Eros is the name of the Greek
god of love. Also referred to as erotic love, this is a selfish kind of love as
it associated with sexual love. Eros love is based on the strong feeling we
have against one another and it usually develops during the 1st stage of a
romantic relationship. This kind of love is based on the physical traits. And
unless it is redeemed by the Lord’s presence; this type of love can end up
being possessive, since it always seeks to 1st conquer and then control.
God created physical attraction between a man and a woman,
but He never intended for it to be selfish. He created desire and longing which
makes up sexual love which is crucial in any marriage. This love was meant to
be preserved between a couple and it is essential for any healthy marriage. And
since it is mostly based on self-benefit, many people tend to fall out of love
if they are not happy with the marriage.
PHILOS LOVE
This is a unique kind of love like the one you have for a
companion or pal. It refers to loving one another just like your brother or
sister. This love is for a pal who is really close and dear to us and it is
characterized by various different shared experiences between two people. In
fact this is the kind of love that many Christians tend to practice towards one
another. And although philos love is really wonderful, it is not always reliable, since it can end up souring at times as we have all experienced at
some point in our lives.
AGAPE LOVE
This is a special term which represents the divine-love of
the Lord towards his Son Jesus Christ, and us. This
is the best of the three types of love in the bible, in fact Jesus himself
showed this type of divine love to his Father and humanity. Agape love
is the love that God commanded all believers to have for everyone whether
he/she is a believer or not. Agape love should never be determined by our
feelings; it is more of a set of behaviors or actions.
Agape love is above philos love and eros love. It is a love
that is totally selfless, where a person gives out love to another person even
if this act does not benefit her/him in any way. Whether the love given is
returned or not, the person continues to love (even without any self-benefit).
Agape Love… That is true love and the love I want to dwell
on. The love I want you and me to share. Loving others more than ourselves. A sacrificial
and unconditional love… beautiful!
This week begins my Love Revolution. I’ve been aching to do
this for some time, but I can’t do this alone. Every week I'll have a new
challenge, some will be harder than others, but all will be on love (Agape
or Philos). I’m going to call them a Love/Dare and I hope you are daring enough
to join in. Not sure how long this will last, but I hope to do it all Summer long...
First Love/Dare
Challenge: Be a smile to those around you...
Reach out to someone who seems alone this week. Someone that you have
noticed, but don’t really know. Befriend them! You might be surprise at what
you find. It could be your neighbor. It could be a coworker. It could be a
classmate. It could even be the lady who rings your items up at the grocery store. Reach out. Too
many of us feel lonely. A simple, “Hello, how have you been?” means a lot!
I don’t know why, but I’ve been struggling with an overwhelming feeling of suicide (NOT me personally) but perhaps someone near me… maybe
even a stranger? I’ve been running into odd things and I don’t really know what
to think clearly on it all. It’s really been bothering me!
So, if there
is someone out there that’s feeling really down, I want you to know that there
is hope… real beautiful hope. And if you are someone close, I’m here if you
need to talk. You are noticed and dearly loved!
(((If you accept this challenge, feel free to share your
story in the comments, and be sure to come back next Monday for another Love/Dare
Challenge.)))
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